Commissioner Kopas Calls for End of Westmoreland Manor Management Contract

GREENSBURG (August 31, 2015) – Westmoreland County Commissioner Ted Kopas today called for the end of the $514,000 annual contract with Premier Healthcare Resources, Inc. to manage Westmoreland Manor – the county-owned 408-bed nursing home and geriatric hospital. A state Department of Health inspection of the facility revealed a number of deficiencies that have occurred under the company’s watch that had the potential to threaten patient safety also and include financial penalties.

“Westmoreland Manor just received its worst-ever inspection from the state,” Commissioner Kopas said. “The facility has already been downgraded from a five-star facility, and as a result of the state’s findings will be downgraded further. The dedicated and skilled staff of the Manor has served generations of Westmoreland County families and their loved ones, and I refuse to sit back and allow it to further decline. In order to restore the reputation of this once-trusted facility we need a change in management.”

A state inspection this summer revealed a number of deficiencies that could have impacted patient safety, as well as neglected structural issues. The state has also levied a $4,250 fine against the Manor. There may be additional federal penalties as a result of the state’s findings. Moreover, the recent census of the Manor was as low as 370 residents.

“Since the contract with Premier began in the spring of 2014 Westmoreland Manor has lost veteran professional staff, lost the number of residents living there, and is now losing the trust of county families. I can’t allow this to continue.

“I am directing the county Solicitor’s Office to determine the proper legal way to begin ending the county’s contract with Premier, so that we can begin the process of savings its reputation. I have asked my fellow Commissioners to join me in this effort and to stop trying to simply smooth over all these problems. We can’t allow the suspicion of election year politics to stand in the way of making this right. We need to act now.